=The Children's Place (PLCE) reported earnings on Tue 3/15/16 (b/o)

The Children's Place beats by $0.08, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS above consensus; guides FY17 EPS above consensus; Q4 comps +6.7%; increases quarterly div to $0.20/share from $0.15/share  :

• Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $1.19 per share, $0.08 better than the Capital IQ Consensus of $1.11; revenues rose 4.0% year/year to $498.5 mln vs the $499.99 mln Capital IQ Consensus. Comparable retail sales increased 6.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015.
• Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $1.00-1.06 vs. $0.92 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate (inclusive of a $0.16 negative impact from foreign exchange)  This guidance assumes a positive low single digit increase in comparable retail sales for the year.
• Co issues upside guidance for FY17, sees EPS of $4.00-4.10 vs. $3.94 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate. (inclusive of an estimated $0.03 negative impact from foreign exchange).  "We achieved our long standing commitment to deliver on our transformation strategy in the back half of 2015. Looking ahead, we expect 2016 to be another strong year for The Children's Place. The first quarter is off to a strong start with comparable retail sales running positive 9.7% through the first 6 weeks."
• Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 33 1/3% from $0.15 per share to $0.20 per share, payable on April 28, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2016.